The House Judiciary Committee held historic hearings on Friday about whether the White House overstepped its constitutional authority during the presidency of George W. Bush and whether or not such abuses would justify his impeachment. The hearing was billed as one on “Executive Power and Its Constitutional Limitations.” Although the title expressly did not include the word “impeachment,” several Democratic Congress members and witnesses used the opportunity to begin impeachment proceedings against the President and Vice President. We play highlights. [includes rush transcript]

This is good news but we need more sponsors for the Cheney bill and the reps that are working on the Bush Impeachment bill (Wexler, Kucinich and Juciary Committee) need to hear from you…So, please keep your calls coming in and ask others to call.

On Saturday, January 12, sixty year-old patriot John Nirenberg walked the final leg of his historic march from Boston to Washington, DC to urge Congress to hold impeachment hearings on Bush and Cheney. We welcome him (and other impeach supporters) to DC with a march to the seat of the original U.S. Constitution at the National Archives. This video includes inspiring speeches from John, David Swanson and Ray McGovern as well as comments from marchers. 31 minutes.

On Monday, July 23rd at 7:30 P.M. the Takoma Park, MD City Council will vote on a resolution that calls for Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Vice President Cheney and President Bush.If the measure passes, Takoma Park will become the first municipality in the Washington, DC area to pass an impeachment resolution. Currently eighty towns and cities across the country have passed impeachment resolutions, including Detroit, MI, San Francisco, CA, Chapel Hill, NC, several towns in Vermont and, most recently, West Hollywood, CA.The Rules of the House of Representatives allow Congress to accept petitions from state and local governments, which are then recorded by the Clerk of the House in the Congressional Journal.

This past April, Takoma Park residents began meeting weekly to discuss ways to advance impeachment on both the national and local level.One of the first events the group held was a forum with State Senator Jamie Raskin to discuss the constitutional principles behind impeachment and the political aspects of the process. The purpose of this event was to help counteract what group member Lisa Moscatiello views as some of the myths surrounding the impeachment process.

“One of the misconceptions is that the measure has no chance of passing, since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared impeachment off limits following the November elections.Since that time, the mood of the country has changed, due to frustration over Congress’ inability to end the war and outrage over the Administration’s refusal to cooperate with Congressional hearings. Congressional offices are now reporting being inundated with calls from constituents. Members are starting to realize that if they are to retain their seats in Congress they need to respond to these calls.There are now thirteen cosponsors to a bill in Congress to impeach Vice President Cheney.Among the cosponsors are Rep. Al Wynn of Maryland and Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia. And the fact that an increasing number of voices calling for impeachment are coming from the right indicates that it is not about party politics. It’s about first principles, that we are a country ruled by laws and not by the whims of individuals.”

The Takoma Park resolution cites the following as grounds for impeaching the President and Vice President:

Conspiring to lead the country into war based on false information.

Using electronic surveillance against U.S. citizens without warrant, in violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Breaching the Federal Torture Act, the Geneva Conventions and the UN Torture Convention

Stripping Americans of their constitutional rights by detaining them indefinitely without trial or access to legal counsel

Infringing on legislative powers granted solely to Congress in the Constitution, by issuing presidential signing statements that void sections of laws passed by Congress.

The Takoma Park City Council vote on the impeachment resolution will take place on Monday, July 23rd at 7:30 P.M in the Takoma Park Municipal Building at 7500 Maple Avenue.

Last night the City Council of West Hollywood, CA became the 80th municipal government in the U.S. to pass an impeachment resolution against the President and Vice President. See video here

The news commentator shown in this clip makes the gratuitous (and erroneous) observation that impeachment has “zero chance” of passing in Congress since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opposes it. Although the Speaker’s power to grant coveted spots on House Committees makes Members of the House reluctant to oppose her, they must also weigh the risk of losing their seats in Congress if they ignore the wishes of their constituents. Recent events such as the President’s commutation of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby’s prison sentence and the Administration’s refusal to comply with Congressional subpoenas have tipped the balance in favor of impeachment for several House members, and the list of cosponsors for H Res 333 to impeach the Vice President is rapidly growing. Two of the fourteen to have joined the list in the past ten weeks are from the DC area – Rep. Al Wynn of Maryland and Rep. Jim Moran of Northern Virginia.